Victoria

As an African American member of all the rep watch forums we all frequent, I have to say I have never and I quote never noticed a wrist shot of a non-white on any of the forums.

Hey, thanks for the delurk, Budda. Post more often!

In actuality it doesn

Yep.....that's known as 'growing a beard'.....

No. Dating Jordan is having a "beard". If he's gay, there are less lawless ways of going about it.

(Ooh! Lucy Lawless, lesbian icon. This thread just won't quit!)

Definitely gay......especially all those base 111 lovers......

Definitely. And the Breitling Steelfish. Oscar Wilde wore it to his dying day.

The best advice I can give you is to buy from a dealer that INSPECTS your item before handing the problem over to you......!

Joshua is considered one of the best, if not the best, and something went awry in QC with his order too...

(It's minor, and it's being dealt with, but still).

In the same mini-Fiddy case which had been antiqued, in the other thread, I didn't see so much of the crown visible. Is mine normal?

I wanted to buy the buckle that V used which he said Angus/Puretime had (didn't find it BTW), so I went to Puretime's Photobucket site. Here is the Mini-Fiddy:

http://s16.photobucket.com/albums/b14/pure...t=DSCN04311.jpg

That crown sure looks like mine, doesn't it? Maybe it's just the way it is, jutting out like that.

However, here is the vintaged mini-Fiddy V had aged:

http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u114/wi...ge/IMG_3097.jpg

http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u114/wi...ge/IMG_3102.jpg

Crown just looks more flush to the watch itself. I've tried and tried, but it won't go 'in' and if I try any more, I'll break the stem...

Meh, I'll deal with this in the morning. ;-/

yeah, what he said...i have received a couple PAMS's with loose CD lever, tightening the two screws on the CG fixed the problem both times.

...oh, and as has been said, the crown does not screw down, it is the job of the CG lever to keep it securly in place.

Thanks guys!

Here is a progress report. First, Paul wrote back asking me to push the crown down, wind the watch, and then wind it back. Also, to check his Q&A section for info. I had already done it, but fair play to him.

Second, I had already taken my 1.40mm screwdriver to the two screws in the crown guard.

The lower screw doesn't seem to screw down that much, but the upper one did rotate a few times. It doesn't flap open SO MUCH any more, but there is no tension whatsoever in the crown guard. It feels "loosey-goosey".

Maybe this is because I've never felt a real PAM crown guard in my hands, but in my mind, I had a much stronger mechanism in mind. Something almost impregnable, that would have resistance when you pulled it back to release the crown. This one is like butter. The tiniest pull, and it flaps open.

Of course, this is a rep, but other reps offer sturdier constructions I think.

Two more shots.

Crown out:

http://img464.imageshack.us/img464/4264/cr...ailclosejv6.jpg

Crown in:

http://img370.imageshack.us/img370/5808/crowninoo0.jpg

In the same mini-Fiddy case which had been antiqued, in the other thread, I didn't see so much of the crown visible. Is mine normal?

If it is, then I'll not ask for a replacement. Also, I am going to an AD and try to see how a real one feels, tomorrow. Obviously, not wearing my new PAM.

Repost (and a little editing) from an old post of mine on RWI:

Added: I would not recommend adding a second gasket on your watch, vb: the crown already looks out enough.

Thanks, sssurfer! I think I am veering towards asking Paul for a replacement watch. (No reply as yet. No worries, he will)

From the Silix thread, I remember that people told me it's the custom for the dealer to send you the new watch, and then you send the original back to him. I would like to do that as cheaply as possible, but fear it being lost without tracking, and insurance, which is $$$.

It all depends on what he responds, but this crown guard/gasket business saddens me. They do quality control, no? That's what they all tell me, and yet, twice with two vendors now, items that EASILY could've been seen as faulty to the naked eye got away from them. Such is the rep business. I'm just one of thousands of customers.

And "queens" would never wear a Panerai. Too butch.

Drag queens, I was thinking! Just to make sure that no one misunderstands my comic intent.

It's not the fact that they're gay, but because they act like 'fags'... Was that what you were meaning? I know precicely what you mean. I don't have a problem with gay men, but I do find the behaviour of 'queens' to be very irritating.

And "queens" would never wear a Panerai. Too butch.

PS: I'm not from the US. They don't play real football over there. Ah well, they do... but they call it "soccer" or something like that.

Don't mind me, I'm on an one-person crusade to enlighten the world about this, but "soccer" is a British term. We invented it, we popularised it, and it's not an American word. It is in fact used by all English-speaking people for football, save in the British Isles themselves.

By the way, I would never wear that tacky watch worn by Rafa Benitez and Jos

I can appreciate a guy who's good looking and masculine. No problem with that. But this guy looks just... so friggin' gay. You have to be gay to make an ad like that... posing those teen boy muscles and all that... come on!

Most Americans don't know what I'm talking about, but other Europeans will remember: remember the Prell or L'Oreal shampoo advert on television, some years ago? It featured David Ginola shaking his hair around, showing off how great it looked after he washed it. In Italy, the version they got was Paolo Maldini.

Both the French and the Italians have no problems with this, although in Britain we still laugh when remembering Ginola's ad.

Anyway! Oh, I once saw David Ginola, and he was wearing a Tag Heuer.

have u seen the way he cries on the football field? thats the gayest thing ive ever seen.. and the funny thing is.. when he gets touch by a guy he always falls down backside up.. i wonder wat he's thinking

Getting back to Panerais.

As everyone knows, Sly Stallone loves and single-handedly revived the Panerai watch. He's a hyphenated Italian, and I'm fairly sure he's straight. The point is, both these men are Latin males, and Latin males (with all due respect to my fellow Brits, and Germans) tend to have less hang-ups with looking stylish.

It's great that men are finally getting into what we women have always known gives us hours and hours of pleasure: buying stuff which we like.

Ooh, fireworks display starting, ciao guys!

I seriously doubt it.

I did too. Maybe I still do, but he says he is, and that should be good enough for anyone since who cares either way.

I'll vote for the black strap, with black stitching.

The tan is a classic and it's best with a sewn in buckle IMHO.

If it's me I'll keep the kevlar with this buckle and leather straps with a nice sewn in buckle

Another vote for the black, but in grey stitching if you can.

(V, is that the famous Greek leather you got after searching for a hide for a while? The strap in the other pics looked so much better! ...or is it from the Ferrari?)

Gays often adopt certain fashion styles to identify themselves to others - like a calling card. If gays are adopting Panerai, don't be surprised if you guys start gettting hit on by sexy mens!

OH MY GOD. Gangway for Kenberg closing this thread soon. Da Gay Topic is back!

P.S.: Okay, in all seriousness, here's my take on it as I await the fireworks display. Being a gay male does not equal effeminacy, though that's how it often manifests itself in the minds of straight men. This makes these men uncomfortable because they equate effeminacy with weakness, which is the opposite of what makes a man a man in ALL cultures.

Remember that Cristiano Ronaldo pic I posted? The guy is straight (in fact, accused of having raped a girl), but he's also a stylish modern man, known colloquially today as a "metrosexual". And so what? He likes looking good, and we women are gaga over men who like looking good, so all you slobs out there take note -- that's why you don't get dates, or you get dates from female slobs.

In fact, I bet you anything most of the Panerai-owning males here are mostly heterosexual, but they like the Panerai for a combination of intricacy, insider knowledge, and testosterone-inducing stylishness. Good for them!

...although the strap thing IS a bit gayer. *ggg*

Victoria

Panerai crowns that are protected by crown guards do not screw in.

The loose crown guard lever being loose could be either of the following:

1) bad crown guard. you will have to replace it or file it down so that it will apply more pressure to the crown.

2) crown guard not screwed in tight. Check if something is preventing it from sitting flush to the case. Screw in whit the lever in the open position

3) no o-ring in the crown.if this is missing, then the crown gives-in to the crown lever and doesn't push it back to snap into place. You need to take out the crown and place a o-ring.

Chris and Geo, thanks for the replies! I was telling my parents just now that having this forum makes a newbie feel a heck of a lot better. The moment I can get that $30 for the VIP upgrade (now that I read it's working again!), I'll do so.

In the meantime, I'm reading both your replies with my jaw hanging on the floor. You know why?

Yesterday, I decided that I would take my two little screwdrivers, and shorten a link on the rep Daytona myself. It costs about $5-10 at the watchmakers.

I DID IT! Man, I felt so proud of myself. What a rush! Now I have some idea of what you guys feel, when you talk about Frankentonas. SOO good.

But your suggestions above, whilst I can use them for future knowledge, are waaaaay beyond my capacities at the moment. I'm taking baby steps with links and straps. I couldn't imagine any dremel tool in my hands for a good year. Sigh.

No reply from Paul yet, but it seems I may have to send this one back. $28 S/H for a $119 watch. Dunno if I want that...

I had ordered my very first PAM from Paul a fortnight ago, and it had come yesterday! I rushed to get it from the porters' station just now.

http://www.pam111.com/product_info.php?cPa...roducts_id=1093

It's a fantasy mini-Fiddy, which you guys here told me was a good deal. I loved it, and it looks AWESOME on me. No wrist shots as yet, because I want the strap and everything to be just right.

But there are two problems, and I ask your help, RWG'ers. I'm awaiting an email from Paul, as we speak.

- The CROWN does not want to screw in tightly, and looks like it is out all the time.

Photo: http://img266.imageshack.us/img266/9863/minifiddypin1rf6.jpg

- The crown GUARD is completely loose, and when I put the watch on, it immediately opens and stays in this position.

Photo: http://img517.imageshack.us/img517/4739/mi...ddyguardpr1.jpg

...with my 1.40mm Bergeon screwdriver, I was able to tighten the screw on the crown guard, and though it still flaps open, it's a WEENCY bit better.

About the crown itself, maybe I'm such a newbie that I don't know it's supposed to jut out like that, but something tells me that's not right. I'm excited , and sad at the same time.

HELP, please.

(Happy Fourth, to all to whom it applies, by the way!)

I love Pug's white SF on leather; may not look so bad on you...

Right! It's Pug's photo that made me want it.

I will definitely post a wrist shot, but no earlier than Saturday since I'm having my nails done then. Blood red nails and a PAM. Mmm.

*g*

Great advice Kruzer! I am responsible for a few scratches myself and I am very patient. I did not know coated screwdrivers were available. Do you know of a source?

Cats, Kruzer, thanks! Like vlydog I too await an answer, because I searched on eBay and nothing came up for "coated watch screwdrivers".

Cats -- I don't know how often I'll be changing the straps, but if I know my personality, it'll be daily if not twice-daily AT LEAST. My fantasy mini-Fiddy is from Paul with brown leather strap/tang buckle, and my Pam 111h is from Andrew, coming with the sporty rubber strap and deployant.

Of the two, without even seeing them yet, I'm sure the mini-Fiddy will look more elegant on my wrist, and the Pam 111h will be the most authentic for my budget, so far.

I have seen some of V's straps in other threads, but fear my strap budget has been blown already. Some of the straps here literally make my eyes bulge. I want them all, ALL.

But I think even $50 would be a lot. Boo. Stupid cash-flow.

cannot find the same one...but found something similar...look at the straps at the bottom of the page

http://www.taikonaut-time.com/product-desc....asp?ProdId=394

ARGH! Hope the chavs never see this, as I would scream if Panerai were discovered by them.

VBarret - for your reference. Hope these help. Even the SD looks quite large. Me, I love that look. Won't be winning any photo awards, I know...

Incredible pics, Kollektor! Please thank your wife on behalf of the group, as well.

I actually feel a little better now, since by far, the PAM was the one which looked most at home on your wife's dainty wrists. Whatever the Panerai has, it also has charisma, style, presence that other watches just don't have; and perhaps that's what allows it to look good on women too.

The worst, the Breitling, yipes. Now THAT looked hideous on her. And me wanting a white steelfish, on brown leather band too, since I had heard that with Andrew's are guaranteed for swimming use. Ah well.

Thanks again!

you never met me

i am well connected and live in broward

Ahh, yes. But do your muscles bulge?

Don't worry, most of my reply was tongue-in-cheek. And I wouldn't be caught dead in Broward.

If you check that thread on RWI you will see that, as a matter of fact, noone talked of mineral glass but vdubpower, who wrongly assumed that his crystal was mineral just because it exploded (he actually even got angry with the dealer who had assured it was sapphire ).

It's a common mistake to believe that sapphire, being more scratch-resistant than glass, is also more crash-resistant. In reality, sapphire is less resistant than glass to crashes, cracks or so.

This makes sense as sapphire's structure is that of a crystal, while glass is amorphous. So, while sapphire surface is harder vs scratches, its whole structure is less able to bear with tensions and deformations. Glass has some ability to accomodate slight deformations, while sapphire responds in an all-or-nothing manner, and it suddenly explodes.

Apologies to vbarrett for this thread hijacking. I come back to the topic by assuring her that she can be confident that his mini fiddy's crystal is less likely to explode being it mineral than if it was sapphire.

Oh gosh, sssurfer, I haven't been checking this original thread of mine, as closely as I should've. Thanks for all the tips, replies, and leg-humping! You better believe I enjoyed it.

Slightly concerned about the sapphire info, because wasn't it someone here whose mineral glass watch exploded embarrassingly in a restaurant? That's why I was favouring sapphire in all the other watches I've bought.

P.S.: No post on the Fourth of July. ARGH! The wait is killing me! I want my PAMs and I want them now! That's a direct quote from Sly Stallone.

that's nice that you met someone named Sly but I am 5'8" and the Sly that was at the World gym was the Genuine Stallone and he was introduced to us by my training partner .. Rocky Johnson .. maybe you heard of his son The Rock... well The Rock was 13 years old at the time, that's about how long ago Sly was here in Hawaii, but i don't think my memory has faded that much ... and it is well documented that Sly is not 5'9" .... no he is not "small" he is usually really ripped and looks much bigger because of his symetry... maybe you were standing in a pot hole (joke)... take my ancedotes for what it's worth

If they're well-connected, and they lived or live in Miami, chances are I have met them socially, Lanikai. Heck, I've even met Carlos Ponce, and until I was introduced to him, I had no idea who he was.

That's what happens when you live in South Beach, and Palm Beach, not in some dumpy outpost like Hawaii. *runs!*

P.S.: He wasn't wearing a Panerai that day. I could be wrong but he was wearing a very refined VC tourbillon with croc strap. But then, poor thing, he tries his best when he's in Palm Beach, because those old snobs put people like him in his place. I don't know how many times he's applied to the Everglades Club, but he stands zero chance of being a member...

i am sure everyone knows the trivia ... thought i would post it anyway ... he came to the old world gym when we were on the Ala Wai ... he is like 5'3" amazing what camera angles can do ... i am at Lanikai juice or morning brew every morning .. been a member since last year but never took time to check out the threads... burnt out on watching dvd's ....

I'm going to read this entire Panerai area, to bone up on straps, lume jobs, canon pin wotsits, etc. So on doing so, I read this.

Ahem. I'm 5'6" and I have stood right next to Sly Stallone, upon meeting him by chance in Worth Avenue (Palm Beach). He's 5'9" or so. I know you were probably exaggerating for comic effect, but he's not THAT small.

By the way, his arms were very masculinely muscled -- not behemoths, but pumped. Much larger than in photos.

I also once read in an old Hollywood actor's autobio that Rudolph Valentino was the darkest white man that person had ever seen (almost caramel), and I had the very same impression with Sly. A gorgeous deep natural tan, like a real Southern Italian.

you should have no problem at all ... it's the exact same procedure. all the best.

p.s. i think the rubber strap will grow on you!

My mini-Fiddy is coming with a leather strap, but my 111h is coming with a rubber strap WITH deployant on it already.

In anticipation of these two watches, I've bought:

1) An extra Panerai deployant

2) 2 Tang buckles, one OEM polished buckle, one generic black buckle, both 22mm

3) About 10-12 leather straps (I've lost count...), two of which are specificly made for the deployant, one GeF which comes with a really nice buckle already

4) The Bergeron 1.40mm/1.60mm screwdriver set

Question:

Am I missing anything? Other than a screw loose in my head?